Aeschylus exhibited an era of ancient Greece in his play, Agamemnon, through his language which displayed a society with a very influential religious discourse that lacked specific guidelines. He establishes the immense impact of religion through the main character, Agamemnon, when he sacrifices her daughter in the play; "And ill, to smite my child, my household’s love and pride! To stain with virgin blood a father’s hands, and slay My daughter, by the altar’s side!” (Aeschylus 251-253). Aeschylus does this in order to show that Agamemnon, the king of Argos, is an intense follower of Greek mythology and- like in any society- the people follow after their leaders. This event is placed near the beginning of the work to establish the potency
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According to Mythology to Western Culture, “Greece was built on the idea of mythology. The Greek population depended on this as a culture and religion.” (Tessowen 1) This dependence on mythology created a society in which most decisions, political or personal, were facilitated by the Greek gods. Such constraints in thought that religious beliefs started initiated a controlling government that only tolerated the ideas of Greek mythology. “In 399 BC the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his fellow Athenians accused of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and of "corrupting the youth." If found guilty; his penalty could be death.” (“The Suicide of Socrates”) Socrates ' sentence shows that government enforced religion onto the people by using a very effective tactic: fear. This fear was widely accepted and caused the Greeks to have a lifestyle that follows the ideas and beliefs of Greek mythology. The behaviors of these Greeks were based on the concept of exchange between human and deities. Greek Gods.Info states that "In their prayers, the ancient Greeks asked for help and support from the god or the goddess they were referring to, reminding them of all the good deeds they had done for them.” (Hatzitsinidou 1) …show more content…
In this scene, the chorus explains that fate cannot be altered in all cases: “Things are now as they are; they will be fulfilled in what is fated; neither burnt sacrifice nor libation of offerings without fire will soothe intense anger away." (Aeschylus 67-71) This quote reveals that even the most lavish offerings to the gods could not alter the future. Despite this, some characters continued to carry out generous sacrifices. In this scene, Agamemnon carries out the ultimate sacrifice when he takes the life of his own daughter to satisfy the gods: “And ill, to smite my child, my household’s love and pride! To stain with virgin blood a father’s hands, and slay My daughter, by the altar’s side!” (Aeschylus 251-253) This quote provides an example of an extreme case of worship in which human sacrifice is encouraged. Agamemnon did not have a real motive to kill his own daughter, he loved her. This makes it evident that he truly believed that he did the right thing in taking his daughter’s life; he did not abuse the will of the gods as Clytemnestra and Aegisthus
According to Mythology to Western Culture, “Greece was built on the idea of mythology. The Greek population depended on this as a culture and religion.” (Tessowen 1) This dependence on mythology created a society in which most decisions, political or personal, were facilitated by the Greek gods. Such constraints in thought that religious beliefs started initiated a controlling government that only tolerated the ideas of Greek mythology. “In 399 BC the philosopher Socrates stood before a jury of 500 of his fellow Athenians accused of "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and of "corrupting the youth." If found guilty; his penalty could be death.” (“The Suicide of Socrates”) Socrates ' sentence shows that government enforced religion onto the people by using a very effective tactic: fear. This fear was widely accepted and caused the Greeks to have a lifestyle that follows the ideas and beliefs of Greek mythology. The behaviors of these Greeks were based on the concept of exchange between human and deities. Greek Gods.Info states that "In their prayers, the ancient Greeks asked for help and support from the god or the goddess they were referring to, reminding them of all the good deeds they had done for them.” (Hatzitsinidou 1) …show more content…
In this scene, the chorus explains that fate cannot be altered in all cases: “Things are now as they are; they will be fulfilled in what is fated; neither burnt sacrifice nor libation of offerings without fire will soothe intense anger away." (Aeschylus 67-71) This quote reveals that even the most lavish offerings to the gods could not alter the future. Despite this, some characters continued to carry out generous sacrifices. In this scene, Agamemnon carries out the ultimate sacrifice when he takes the life of his own daughter to satisfy the gods: “And ill, to smite my child, my household’s love and pride! To stain with virgin blood a father’s hands, and slay My daughter, by the altar’s side!” (Aeschylus 251-253) This quote provides an example of an extreme case of worship in which human sacrifice is encouraged. Agamemnon did not have a real motive to kill his own daughter, he loved her. This makes it evident that he truly believed that he did the right thing in taking his daughter’s life; he did not abuse the will of the gods as Clytemnestra and Aegisthus